30 Overrated Action Movies Everyone Seems To Like

Action movies consistently perform well in theaters worldwide, offering audiences exciting visuals and intense stories. Although many receive positive reviews and earn a lot of money, some people question whether they truly deserve the praise. This list examines thirty popular action films that have sparked debate about their quality and how the public views them. It includes both well-known classics and recent blockbusters that have shaped the action genre.

‘Rambo: First Blood Part II’ (1985)

After being released from prison, John Rambo is sent to Vietnam on a dangerous mission to find American soldiers still missing in action. While different from the first film – which was more focused on character and realism – this sequel delivered over-the-top action and presented Rambo as a clear hero. It became a defining movie of the 1980s and had a lasting impact on action films. Some critics point out that the story is simple and the violence is exaggerated to attract a wide audience. However, the film was a huge success and cemented Sylvester Stallone’s status as a leading action star.

‘Independence Day’ (1996)

When Earth is invaded by aliens and major cities are destroyed, people from all over the world must unite to survive. The movie is well-known for its amazing special effects, especially the unforgettable destruction of the White House. It was the biggest box office hit of its year and set the standard for modern disaster films. While some viewers have noted scientific flaws and a reliance on patriotic themes, it’s still considered a classic summer blockbuster and is shown on TV often.

‘Armageddon’ (1998)

NASA hires a team of deep-core drillers for a dangerous mission: landing on an asteroid and using a nuclear bomb to prevent it from hitting Earth. Directed by Michael Bay, the film is known for its fast-paced editing and dramatic scenes. It boasts a famous cast, including Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, and a popular theme song. Though a huge financial success, many critics criticized the movie’s unrealistic plot, seeing it as a classic example of a big-budget action film that focuses more on exciting visuals than a believable story.

‘Gladiator’ (2000)

This film tells the story of a Roman general who is wrongly betrayed and forced into gladiatorial combat. He seeks revenge against the emperor who killed his family. A critical and commercial success, it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and helped bring historical epics back to Hollywood. Russell Crowe’s performance as the lead was particularly impactful. While some critics point to a slow pace and historical liberties, the movie’s powerful story and intense battle scenes have made it a beloved classic for fans of the genre.

‘The Matrix Reloaded’ (2003)

Neo and his friends are in a race against time to save the last human city from an advancing machine army. This second film built upon the original’s intricate story and featured even more spectacular action sequences, including a long chase scene filmed on a specially built set. While some viewers found the complex discussions and ambiguous ending less compelling than the first movie, the film was a huge box office hit and continues to be an important part of science fiction cinema.

‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ (2005)

The movie centers around a married couple who are secretly highly skilled assassins working for competing groups. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s captivating on-screen chemistry is a major draw. The film explores their struggles at home while they simultaneously try to kill each other in exciting, over-the-top action sequences. While some reviewers thought the story wasn’t the main focus, overshadowed by the stars and the publicity around them, it was a huge box office success and helped popularize the action comedy genre.

‘300’ (2006)

In the film 300, King Leonidas bravely leads his 300 Spartan warriors into a seemingly impossible battle against the massive Persian army. Director Zack Snyder gave the movie a distinctive look, using digital effects to make it feel like a moving comic book. It’s famous for its dramatic, over-the-top violence and lines that quickly became popular quotes. While some viewers feel the frequent slow motion and simple story make it resemble a video game, the film was a huge commercial hit and has clearly inspired the visual style of many action movies that followed.

‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007)

In the fourth Die Hard movie, John McClane is back, this time battling cyber terrorists who threaten to cripple the entire country. This film took a different approach than the previous ones, featuring over-the-top action sequences that weren’t realistic. Bruce Willis returned as McClane in a story designed to appeal to a broader audience, earning a PG-13 rating. While the movie was financially successful, many dedicated fans disagree with the change in tone and the focus on more fantastical action, questioning if it stays true to the original films. It remains a somewhat controversial entry in the Die Hard series.

‘Transformers’ (2007)

A war between transforming alien robots crashes onto Earth, and a young man finds himself right in the middle of it. Directed by Michael Bay, the live-action film is known for its huge explosions and impressive special effects. It kicked off a successful movie series and made its stars famous worldwide. However, some viewers found the fast-paced editing and action sequences overwhelming and hard to follow. The movie is often cited as a case where stunning visuals take precedence over well-developed characters.

‘Taken’ (2008)

The film follows a retired government agent who goes to Paris to save his kidnapped daughter from a human trafficking network. It unexpectedly launched Liam Neeson back into action stardom and created a new model for mature action heroes. A surprise hit at the box office, it spawned several sequels and even a TV series. While some reviewers pointed out its straightforward story and quick editing style became common in other films, it’s still celebrated for significantly influencing the thriller genre in the late 2000s.

‘Avatar’ (2009)

A Marine who is paralyzed goes to the moon Pandora and begins to live among the Na’vi, the native people there. Director James Cameron used incredible new technology to build a complete and believable digital world, which thrilled moviegoers around the globe. The film became the highest-earning movie ever made and was nominated for many Academy Awards, largely for its innovative technical work. Though the movie’s visuals were widely celebrated, some viewers thought the story itself was familiar, resembling plots from films like ‘Pocahontas’ or ‘Dances with Wolves’. Nevertheless, the film is a landmark achievement in movie history because of its pioneering use of 3D and performance capture technology.

‘The Expendables’ (2010)

A group of experienced mercenaries is hired to overthrow a corrupt dictator in a South American nation. Sylvester Stallone brought together a cast of famous action heroes as a nod to the action films of the 1980s. The movie emphasizes classic action tropes and includes appearances by many well-known actors. While some reviewers criticized the choppy editing and unoriginal plot, the film was successful enough to start a continuing series that reunites action stars.

‘Fast Five’ (2011)

In Brazil, Dom Toretto and his team attempt a dangerous heist while being pursued by a determined federal agent. This movie was a major shift for the series, moving away from street racing and towards bigger, more elaborate action sequences. The addition of Dwayne Johnson brought a fresh energy to the cast and helped make the franchise even more popular worldwide. While some viewers felt the action became over-the-top and focused more on impressive visuals than realism, this film is widely credited with revitalizing the series and turning it into a huge global success.

‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Marvel’s biggest heroes teamed up to defeat an alien attack orchestrated by the god Loki. The movie was a groundbreaking achievement, cleverly uniting several popular storylines into a single, connected universe. It broke box office records and critics loved how it combined compelling character moments with spectacular action. While some found the story predictable and the final battle somewhat typical, the film’s enormous success dramatically changed how major movie studios planned and created franchises for years to come.

‘Skyfall’ (2012)

In this James Bond adventure, 007 investigates a cyber terrorist with a personal connection to his boss, M, and the intelligence agency. Released during the character’s 50th anniversary, the film became the most financially successful Bond movie ever. Critics and audiences alike praised its stunning visuals and Javier Bardem’s compelling portrayal of the villain. While some found the plot to be reliant on unlikely coincidences and an unnecessarily complex scheme, the film is still widely considered one of the best in the Bond series.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

After a period of self-imposed exile, Batman comes back to save Gotham City from the dangerous mercenary Bane. Christopher Nolan’s final film in the trilogy is a large-scale story exploring themes of social inequality and the decline of cities. It’s known for its impressive action sequences and provides a clear ending for the main characters. While some critics have noted inconsistencies in the plot and a somewhat confusing timeline which affects the film’s flow, it was a huge box office hit and is still considered one of the best superhero movies ever made.

‘Man of Steel’ (2013)

As a huge movie fan, I remember being really excited for this Superman reboot. It wasn’t the bright and cheerful Superman we’d seen before; this version felt much more intense and realistic. Henry Cavill was fantastic as Superman, and Zack Snyder really delivered with some incredible action sequences. I recall the final fight being a bit controversial – it was pretty epic, but some people felt the amount of destruction was a little much. Still, it was a big hit and, more importantly, it kicked off the whole DC Extended Universe, which was a really ambitious idea. It definitely made a splash when it came out!

‘John Wick’ (2014)

This action movie centers on a skilled, retired hitman who comes out of retirement to avenge the death of his dog. It’s known for its over-the-top gunfights and the fascinating world built around the Continental Hotel. Keanu Reeves did most of his own stunts, making the fight scenes feel very real. Although the action is exciting, some viewers felt the fights became a bit too similar. The film was a huge success, unexpectedly launching a major franchise and boosting the lead actor’s career.

‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ (2014)

An experienced spy takes in a resourceful young street urchin and trains them to work for a secret, privately-funded intelligence organization. The movie is a fresh and edgy take on the classic spy genre, similar to James Bond, but with much more intense and graphic action. Taron Egerton and Colin Firth give outstanding performances in a story centered around a dangerous, technologically advanced global threat. While some reviewers thought the film depended too much on shocking moments and dark humor to be unique, it was a big hit with audiences and spawned several follow-up films, including a prequel.

‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)

Set in a harsh desert world, the film follows a woman who sparks a revolt against a cruel ruler, aided by a mysterious wanderer and a band of imprisoned women. Director George Miller returned to the series, focusing on impressive practical effects and stunning visuals rather than relying on computer-generated imagery. The movie was a huge hit with critics and received ten Academy Award nominations. While some viewers felt the story was too basic and lacked substantial dialogue to warrant the high praise, it’s now considered a landmark action film of the 21st century.

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

The film follows a wisecracking mercenary with the ability to heal, who’s on a mission to get revenge on the person who disfigured him. Ryan Reynolds dedicated years to the project, wanting to capture the character’s playful, unconventional spirit from the original comics. Despite being rated R and having a smaller budget than typical superhero movies, the film was a huge hit. While many viewers loved its self-aware humor, some found the frequent breaking of the fourth wall a bit tiresome. Ultimately, it showed that R-rated action comedies could be very lucrative for big movie studios.

‘Suicide Squad’ (2016)

The movie centers around criminals who are offered reduced sentences if they complete risky missions for a government organization. It starred a large cast and was promoted with a focus on its distinctive look and music. While the film made a lot of money, critics generally didn’t like it, and many viewers found the editing confusing and the villain underdeveloped. Despite these flaws, it’s still considered an important part of the DC Extended Universe because of how well it performed at the box office.

‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

This popular film tells the story of an Amazonian warrior who steps into the world of World War I, embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Starring Gal Gadot, it was celebrated for its hopeful message and skillful direction, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful films ever directed by a woman. While some felt the final battle relied too heavily on standard computer-generated imagery, the movie remains beloved by fans and is a landmark achievement for female-led superhero films.

‘Black Panther’ (2018)

The latest Wakandan ruler faces a threat to his kingdom from an opponent who intends to exploit the nation’s wealth to ignite a worldwide uprising. The film was a huge success with both critics and audiences, even earning a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. It was particularly praised for its stunning visuals and its important cultural impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While most of the film was visually impressive, some critics found the final battle sequence to be a bit underwhelming. It earned over $1.3 billion worldwide and significantly changed the face of modern filmmaking.

‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ (2018)

In the latest installment, Ethan Hunt and his team race against time to prevent a worldwide terrorist attack, all while being watched by a CIA operative. Tom Cruise himself did incredibly risky stunts – like a thrilling helicopter pursuit and a daring high-altitude jump – to make the action feel authentic. The movie has been almost universally praised for its impressive technical aspects and gripping suspense. Some critics note that the storyline is quite predictable for the series and uses familiar clichés, but overall, it’s considered the best and most highly-rated film in the entire franchise.

‘Extraction’ (2020)

This Netflix film stars Chris Hemsworth as a mercenary who’s paid to save the son of a powerful crime boss from a kidnapping ring. It’s known for a thrilling, single-take action scene lasting over twelve minutes, and focuses on gritty, realistic fight choreography. Although the action is impressive, some reviewers felt the plot was predictable and the characters weren’t fully developed. Despite this, the movie quickly became one of Netflix’s most popular original films.

‘Red Notice’ (2021)

This action film pairs an FBI profiler with a renowned art thief as they hunt a dangerous criminal. Featuring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, it’s a big-budget Netflix production that delivers a familiar, fast-paced adventure with plenty of humor. While some viewers found the movie overly reliant on the actors’ well-known personalities instead of a strong story, it still proved incredibly popular with audiences worldwide.

‘Jungle Cruise’ (2021)

This fun adventure film follows a boat captain and a researcher as they journey through the Amazon rainforest, searching for a legendary tree said to have amazing healing abilities. Starring Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson, the movie is inspired by classic adventure films like ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘The Mummy’, and is also based on a popular Disney theme park ride. While the film was successful and a sequel is planned, some viewers felt that the many special effects and fantastical elements diminished the impact of the action.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

An experienced pilot comes back to teach a new group of pilots a risky mission flying over enemy lines. The movie was a huge success in theaters, exciting many fans who had been waiting for a compelling big-screen experience. It stood out for using actual footage of fighter jets in flight, creating a more realistic and immersive feel than computer-generated effects could achieve. While some felt the story was similar to the first film but with updated visuals, it was nominated for several Academy Awards and is considered a prime example of a modern blockbuster hit.

‘The Gray Man’ (2022)

Okay, so I just finished watching this new Netflix flick, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans – talk about a power couple! – and it’s directed by the Russo brothers, so I had high hopes. The story is about a CIA agent who stumbles onto some seriously shady stuff within the agency and then gets hunted by a former colleague gone rogue. There’s a ton of action, really impressive stuff filmed all over the world, including this insane tram chase in Prague. But here’s the thing… despite all the money and famous faces, it just didn’t quite grab me. It felt… generic, like I’d seen this all before. It’s definitely one of Netflix’s biggest, most hyped original movies, though, so it’s worth checking out if you’re into action thrillers, just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Tell us which action movies you think are the most overrated in the comments.

2025-12-30 20:49